Marko Syrjala
Rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal would not sound, look, or feel the same without Paul “Ace” Frehley, also known as a “Spaceman.” Among hundreds of accolades, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2014 as a co-founder and the original lead guitarist of KISS. Guitar World named him in the Top 15 of its “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time” and spotlighted the lead from “Shock Me” on the “50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time.”
Frehley’s first stint with KISS began in 1973 when he joined the band after answering their ad in a music magazine. After much work, hard training, and many tours, KISS achieved their big breakthrough with the multi-platinum-selling “Alive!” – album, which was released in 1975. In the 70s, KISS was one of the biggest bands in the world. Their highly theatrical live show was spectacular, and the band sold tens of millions of albums, including “Destroyer”, “Love Gun”, “Rock and Roll Over” and “Alive II”. In 1978, Frehley released his solo debut, “Ace Frehley,” which attained platinum status and emerged as the highest-selling of the four KISS solo albums in the Soundscan era. After departing from KISS in 1982, Frehley embarked on his solo career. In 1987, he released the successful LP “Frehley’s Comet,” followed by “Second Sighting” (1988) and “Trouble Walkin’” (1989).